Paterno concerned over Redd’s stamina

Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

Another milestone is within reach of Joe Paterno, though Penn State’s Hall of Fame coach has never been one to brag much about his credentials.

With his team riding a five-game winning streak, Paterno has more pressing concerns — like making sure some of his veterans and top playmakers don’t get too fatigued following a string of down-to-the-wire victories.

Oh, and Paterno is a win away from tying Eddie Robinson for second place on the career victories list for all NCAA divisions at 408. Paterno is already major college football’s winningest coach.

The next milestone could come Saturday night when Penn State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) visits Northwestern (2-4, 0-3).

“It only gives us more to play for,” left tackle Quinn Barham said. “But that’s not really our focus.”

Win No. 323 to tie Alabama coach Bear Bryant on the major college list came Oct. 20 a decade ago with a 38-35 win over Northwestern in Evanston.

Win No. 400 came in dramatic fashion Nov. 6, 2010 when the Nittany Lions rallied from three touchdowns down to beat the Wildcats 35-21.

Northwestern has the unfortunate luck of being on the wrong side again of Happy Valley history. The Wildcats have given up 121 points over its three Big Ten games.

Paterno, as expected, isn’t overlooking Northwestern.

“When you look at them, you get the feeling,” said Paterno. “Hey, these guys can beat anybody.”

Not if the Wildcats’ defense can’t stop tailback Silas Redd, who is averaging about 28 carries and 134 yards rushing the last three weeks. It’s a heavy workload for the sophomore in his first year as the featured back.

Paterno is concerned enough about the toll on Redd and other veterans including Barham, a senior, that he’s had his assistants be especially watchful this week of whether players look fatigued.

“He’s gotten a lot of carries, but I don’t think that’s going to affect his durability,” Barham said of Redd.